After spending around $900 total in parts and labor, I've finally replaced my cracked bumper with a brand new SVT's. My jaw dropped when I saw it completed at the body shop. I felt like I was stealing a new car. While I'm extremely happy about it, I can't help but feel the guilt of burning so much money on it. I never thought the grand total would get anywhere near a grand. So I wouldn't really recommend doing it unless you're crazy like me.
On a side note, the SVT fog lights are absolutely amazing. When I first turned them on the first thought that ran through my mind was that someone at the shop stupidly left the high beams on. Nope, the fog lights actually lit up the road in front of me! *gasp* These made the stock ZX3 fog lights look like utter crap. It's like comparing a maglight flashlight to a christmas tree bulb. I only wish I had taken pictures to help illustrate this comparison.
Anyway, on to the pictures...
Here's the nasty S-turn that was responsible for cracking my old bumper, killing the right fog lamp, and killing my old horn. If I remember correctly, I tried to take the turn around 55 or 60 MPH on wet roads with bald rear stock Firestone tires. STUUUPID!!!
A lot of people would probably go with an SVT rear bumper and side skirts too. But to be honest I think the new front bumper blends in VERY well with the stock side rocker panels, and sweeps upward with the stock rear ZX3 bumper. It's a perfect sweep visually.
I also want to comment on the lack of SVT upper grill. I decided not to go for it. I felt that the ZX3 upper grill, with the horizontal lines, blended in a lot better with the layout of the hood. The gaps are spaced evenly and it looks nice. Unfortunately the top of the SVT upper grill doesn't seem to line up flush with the curve of where it meets the hood. So I changed my mind and saved some money in the process.
Anyway, that's it. All that money spent, 2 months of waiting, and I'm very happy with the results. Next up, I think I'll be investing in an MBRP exhaust and get rid of that tacky exhaust tip....
Looks great! I always liked the look of the svt bumper on any focus. If I wasn't putting the roush front bumper on mine, the svt front would have definately been my 2nd choice. I'm glad it all worked out for you.
I like it.
Personally I would work on the wheels next but yet again.. they are expensive and saving up is a bitch .
Anyways. Like the car, can't wait to see it after the exhaust is on.
Thanks. I am very happy about it. And yeah, I worry that I'm going to mess this one up too. But I try not too think too much about it, or I'd go crazy. I think everybody learns a little and drives less crazy with each accident. In any case I think if something were to happen again, I'd do the same thing all over again.
I just want to state as a disclaimer that I'm not trying to falsely make my ZX3 look like its faster counterpart, in hopes that it'll magically raise HP or anything. I just think it's the best looking bumper for the Focus ever. Even better than the RS. And I know many of you will probably disagree.
Tres bien! watch out for moose! Sometimes I see my car sitting in a line of cars...and I'm like damn that's one fine looking machine, even when its parkend next to something newer or more expensive
sweet man keep up the good ork and keep us posted and about the money you have to spend money if you want a nice car...and you are on your way to a grrrrreat car.
I really don't have a lot of money to spend. In fact the car still isn't even paid off. I think I still need around $5000. So I will need to get my priorities straight very soon. This is the first time I've ever spent money on "modding" a car before, and I admit I do enjoy it a lot. I do intend to go a little further with an MBRP exhaust and possibly an SVT suspension kit. But I think I'll leave it alone after that.
I got the SVT bumper kit from Mike on here (you know, the guy who works for Ford). He was very helpful and patient throughout the entire process, and for that I'm very grateful. Throw him a PM (b16sir1991) if you ever need to find a part for your Focus. He's definitely the guy to go to if you want to avoid being ripped off by local dealerships and online vendors!
The price of the bumper paint and install definitely should've been cheaper ($300-$400). But the shop lost one of the fog lamps in their messy garage and refused to pay for it. There was no way for me to prove that I brought all the parts with me, so I was stuck with the bill. Although the manager of the body shop gave me his employee discount, I still wasn't too happy about that.
For some reference here, a single SVT fog lamp costs around $82.50. So consider that SVT bumper kit a steal, at around $400. It's definitely a great price if you can get your hands on one. If you also know how to install a bumper yourself, you'll save a ton of money too. I seriously envy those that know their Focus inside out and are able to spend the time to do their own upgrades.
Anyway, I think that's all I have to say. If anybody has any questions about the experience, I'll be happy to answer them. Actually StealthGray sort of inspired me to go through with this, so you can ask him too. I think he hit a deer with his ZX3 and decided to fix it up with an SVT bumper instead. I ran through a similar experience (sans deer) and decided to go the same route. It really was worth it.
I do believe it does come ready to be painted right out of the box, but please don't quote me on that. I didn't do the actual painting and I don't have much knowledge about that unfortunately. Maybe someone else can give you a definite answer. Sorry, I just don't want to feed you any misinformation.
The Ford body shop I took it to was able to paint it all in one day. All they needed from me was the factory color code from my inner door panel. So I got to leave the shop the same day and get it installed the next day, at my own convenience. It wasn't even an issue of color fading over time. It looks like an exact match.
Anyway, I can say with 100% certainty that it does come with side markers, SVT horn, fog lamps, lower grill, and lower valence. The total price of these parts put together individually, directly from Ford, far exceeds what these kits usually go for. So like I said if you can get your hands on one, it's definitely worth the price.
Sadly I think the bumper kits are becoming more of a rarity in time. I originally ordered it from Wake Performance, which had it for $375, but my order was later cancelled because Ford Racing didn't have any left to give out. So your best bet is to order from Mike (if he has any left), or a place that has a surplus of them.
One last note: you will need to buy wiring harnesses and splice the wires of the fog lights to your ZX3. The fog lights on the SVT bumper are out farther to the sides, and don't quite reach all the way. If you're uncomfortable doing that yourself, the body shop can do it too. The additional time wasn't really all that expensive.
i love the change but i disagree with you on the stock grille...i don't feel it blends with anything, even the stock bumper...i feel its one of the most poorly designed grilles on any car, but thats just my opinion..i would like to see an ST170 grille on that car, because i also don't feel the SVT grille looks right with non HID headlights...but as always its your call and i'm glad you're happy with it! [thumb]
where can I get that bumper for a '03 sedan? Looks awesome.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Focus Fanatics Forum
5.8M posts
189.1K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!